Scientists are keeping their fingers crossed for an unusual glimpse of the Northern Lights, as the solar storm above Britain continues tonight.

The colourful light display, called the Aurora Borealis, is usually only visible in the furthest northern countries of the globe.

But this week photographer Chris Small managed to snap incredible pictures of the rare sky phenomenon appearing in the skies above Cornwall.

The closest it usually gets to Britain with any intensity is northern Scandinavia.

Scientists say it's possible that much of England will get a chance to see them tonight, after a solar storm on Sunday night.

The sky could be lit up with a flood of wispy colours - a sight which is on many people's bucket lists.

So, here is everything you need to know about the phenomenon, and whether you really will see it:

Will the Northern Lights be visible on Wednesday night?

A mass ejection of particles from the sun at the weekend has meant the likelihood of seeing the Northern Lights across much of the UK tonight has increased.

It was clearly visible for a lucky few who stayed up all night on Monday and Tuesday.

But the Met Office said the country could have another night of "spectacular aurora views" on Wednesday.

Meteorologist Helen Roberts said: "It's all a bit difficult to say who will and won't see it if it happens. It's all a bit 'if' at the minute.

"The storm has already left the sun and it takes around 36 hours to reach us, depending on how strong it is."

Where will be best to see them?

Anywhere with clear skies away from light pollution is the best place to catch a glimpse.

Firstly, try and get away from urban areas because the light pollution makes it harder to see.

Find spots with good views of the horizon in the north - that is where the lights will be strongest.

Higher ground is best to escape lights and have views of further away.

There are other factors that come into play such as weather and the strength of the solar particles but if the weather and skies are right, you have every chance in most parts of the UK.

Weather experts are advising people to look towards the north.

A Met Office spokesman said: "To see the northern lights, wait until at least half an hour after sunset, go outside away from artificial lights, let your eyes accustom to the dark and look towards the north."

When is the best time to look for them?

Experts suggested between midnight and 3am would be the optimum time for views of the lights.

They are expected to last right through to Thursday morning but they are more visible when it is darkest.

How are they formed?

The Northern Lights occur when solar particles cross into the Earth’s atmosphere and let out burning gases that produce different coloured lights.

These are made up of chemicals including oxygen, which produces green and yellow and nitrogen, which produces blue.

A Met Office spokesman added: "A particularly active sunspot came into view during the early part of last week.

"This sunspot continued to grow in complexity which has resulted in a number of moderate solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs).

"Early on Sunday a relatively quick CME left the Sun, arriving on Monday evening as predicted. This produced a strong geomagnetic storm, which measured G4 on a scale of 1 to 5."